Listing of Historical Sailing Ship types and nomenclature. Pointing a cursor over a label will display the image. Ship Names, Ratings and Types Balinger: A small single-masted sailing vessel, used in the 15th and 16th century. Baltimore Clipper: A two-masted fore-and-aft gaff-rigged schooner-like ship also carrying square sails on the foremast and often used in the role of a blockade-runner or privateer . The masts were set at extreme angles, as it was believed at the time to provide for better speed. Baltimore clippers were also used to transport prospectors and settlers from the East Coast to the West Coast during the California gold-rush. Examples of a Baltimore clipper Barca-longa: A two- or three-masted Mediterranean vessel carrying lugsails . Barque Longue: A relatively small 17th century two-masted square-rigged sailing vessel best known for its use by early Fench explorers. Examples of a barque Longue Barge: A 17th century long and narrow ship's boat, rowed by 10 to 20 oars, often used to transport senior officers.

Bark: A vessel square-rigged on all but the aftermost mast , which is fore-and-aft rigged. Also spelled Barque. Most were three-masted, some were four- or five-masted vessels. Before the mid 18th century the term Barque was also often used for any three-masted vessel not fitting any other accepted nomenclature or category. Examples of a barkentine Bilander: A small two-masted merchant sailing ship, similar to a brigantine , used mainly on Dutch coastal routes and canals. Rarely larger than 100 tons burthen . She carried a fore-and-aft lateen main-sail bent to a yard hanging at about 45 degrees to the mast . Bireme: An ancient Greek or Roman war galley propelled by two tiers of oars on each side. Boat: A small open vessel for travel on water by rowing or sailing. In the age of sail, boats were essential equipment on any ship. Used as a tender , for shore landing parties, towing, warping , rescue missions, patrols, escape from mutiny , to mention only a few purposes.

Boats came in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on time-period, geography and function: barges , cutters , dinghies , gigs , launches , longboats , pinnaces , shallops , skiffs , wherries and yawls . Boejer: A small single-masted Dutch vessel with an extreme rounded stern and bow , normally carrying leeboards . It had a very shallow draft but a relatively tall mast, intended for use on canals, rivers and coastal regions. Bomb Vessel: Developed by the French to battle the Barbary corsairs , these vessels used high trajectory mortars instead of conventional guns. The hull was strengthened to take the weight of one or more mortars and the foremast was completely omitted. Late 18th century bomb vessels would have had a full three-masted rig, and some were used for perilous polar expeditions since their sturdily built hulls would hold up well in the ice. Examples of a bomb vessel Bootship: An 18th century three masted vessel with a rounded bow and stern , and a flat or rounded tafferel . Developed out of the earlier 17th century Fluyt .

They were either square-rigged on all masts with a spanker on the mizzen , or had a fore-and-aft gaff-rigged mizzen . Also bootschip in Dutch, literally translated as 'boatship". Sometimes also referred to as a kat or cat. Examples of a bootship Brig: A two-masted vessel, square-rigged on both masts. The main mast carries a fore-and-aft boom-sail as well. In the 17th century the term Brig was also used as short for Brigantine , which then could be any variety of two-masted square-rigged vessels depending on nation and region. Examples of a brigantine Buss: A relatively large two- or sometimes three-masted European sailing vessel dating from the late 15th through the 17th century, used mainly for the North-Sea herring fishery. Up to about 200 tons in size. Also buis (Dutch). Caique: (Caïgue) A long narrow rowboat, similar to a skiff , used in the Middle East and is also the name of a light sailing vessel used in the eastern Mediterranean.

Caracore: A small, light and swift sailboat with a single triangular sail and an outrigger , originating in the East Indies. Also called Proa. Caravel: A relatively small but highly manoeuvrable Portuguese vessel of the 15th and 16th centuries setting lateen sails on two, three, or four masts and sometimes setting a single square sail on the foremast . When lateen-rigged was classified as a 'caravela latina', when modified as a square-rigged vessel was classified as a 'caravela redonda'. A typical three masted 'caravela latina' shown above, note the sharply decreasing mast height from fore to aft. The image below depicts the profile of a large four-masted caravel. Carrack: A large three- or four-masted sailing vessel developed from the earlier cog , in use from the 14th to the 17th century, usually with elevated structures at the bow and stern . Carrack ~1561 Examples of a carrack Clipper: A variety of square-rigged speed-built merchant ships built between 1790 and 1870.

Often thought of as some of the most beautiful and elegant sailing vessels ever built. The three-masted Cutty Sark on display at Greenwich, England may well be the best known of the clippers. Examples of a clipper Coble: A small clinker-built open fishing vessel from the North-Eastern coast of England and Scotland. Characterized by a relatively high bow, exaggerated sheer and shallow draft, often setting a single lugsail . Cocca: Mediterranean equivalent for the Northern European cog . Introduced to the Mediterranean in the 14th century, a cocca was a one- or two-masted square-rigged and clinker-built vessel. Also Coca, Cocha or Cocche. Cog: A single-masted clinker-built vessel used until the 15th century. The Cog originated in Northern Europe and spread throughout the Baltic and to the Mediterranean. The first mention of a cog is from 948 AD in Muiden near Amsterdam. Even though the usual clinker construction limited the ultimate size of a cog, the English chronicler Thomas Walsingham speaks of great cogs in 1331 with three decks and over 500 crew and soldiers.

A cog is characterised by high sides, a relatively flat bottom, rounded bilge and a single square sail . Also Kog(Dutch) or Kogge (German). Examples of a corvette Crayer: A small single-masted and slow merchant vessel. Built solely for maximum hold capacity, not for its sailing qualities. Currach: A small rounded boat made of hides stretched over a wicker frame ; still used in some parts of Great Britain. Also called Coracle. Cutter: 1. A fast-sailing fore-and-aft rigged single-masted vessel usually setting double headsails , used for patrol and dispatch services. Cutters were the ships of choice for English smugglers during the 18th century. The largest were up to 150 tons burden and could carry up to 12 guns . 2. A clinker built ship's boat used for travel between ship and shore. Dinghy: A small rowing or sailing boat , often a tender to a larger vessel. Dhow: A lateen-rigged sailing vessel that originated in the Middle East. Early dhows were of shell-first construction . Most dhows are known by names referring to their hull shape.

The ghanjah was a large two- or three-masted vessel with a curved stem and a long sloping and often ornately carved transom , originating from India. The baghlah was the traditional two-masted deep-sea dhow; it had a transom with usually five windows and a poop deck similar to European galleons or caravels . Other large seagoing two-masted dhows were the double-ended boom, which had a long stem pointing to the heavens, often with a bowsprit flying a jib , and the sambuk. The smaller battil featured a long stem topped by a large, club-shaped stemhead and a sternpost decorated with cowrie shells and leather. The badan was a much smaller and single-masted, shallow draught boat, used for fishing and oyster diving. Dogger: A two-masted fishing-vessel resembling a ketch . Also hooker . Dory: A small, narrow, flat-bottomed and shallow draft boat of between 15 to 20 ft in length, usually with high sides and a sharp prow , propelled by oars . Also spelled Dorey (British).

Down Easter: A square-rigged merchant vessel combining large carrying capacity with a relatively sharp hull . They got their name from having been built in Maine, downwind and east of all the major East Coast ports, and were being used largely for the California grain trade (1865-1890). Dromon: A medium-size, fast-sailing Mediterranean galley often armed with Greek fire for burning enemy ships. East Indiaman: A large and heavily armed European merchantman used for trade between Europe and the East-Indies. Felucca: A narrow, swift, lateen-rigged sailing vessel used on the Nile and in the Mediterranean. Fifth Rate: Sailing warship with 32-44 guns (1779). Examples of a fifth rate Fireship: A ship or boat that is deliberately set on fire and steered to collide with a larger enemy ship in order to set it on fire and destroy it. Fireships were often used in the 17th century to finish off disabled enemy vessels. First Rate: Sailing ' ship of the line ' warship with 100 or more guns on three gun decks (1779).

Examples of a fourth rate Frigate: A three-masted sailing warship with two full decks, with only one gun deck . A frigate was armed with between 30 to 44 guns located on the gun deck and possibly some on the quarter-deck and forecastle . Frigates were used in the 18th and 19th centuries for escort and reconnaissance, but also for a myriad of other duties. Find the modern definition of frigate here . Examples of a frigate Galeas: A two- or three-masted Scandinavian merchant vessel from the 18th and 19th century, developed from the earlier Dutch galjoot . Unlike the galjoot however, the galeas had a square stern. Galjoot: Also galiot, galioot or galyoot. A fast sailing shallow-draught Dutch vessel wich was often used as a coastal merchant vessel during the 17th and 18th century. She had a rounded stern and bow. Usually thought of as a one and a half masted small vessel, some were as large as 700 tons and had a full three masted rig.

They were also used on occasion as bomb vessels because of their stability and durability. See also hoy . A typical small galjoot. Examples of a galjoot Galleas: A large, three-masted galley / galleon hybrid of the 16th and 17th centuries that used both sails and oars. Derived from earlier galleys, they were powerful warships of the day, very successful at the Battle of Lepanto, 1571. The image directly below depicts an artists impression of a Spanish armada galleas in typical medieval fashion. The image at the bottom shows a lateen-rigged galleas. Examples of a galleon Galley: An oared fighting ship used mainly in the Mediterranean dating from many centuries BC until well into the 18th century. They were also used in the Baltic and by other northern European nations, just not to the same extent and duration as in the Mediterranean.

A galley a scaloccio is rowed by groups of three, five or seven men on a bench pulling a single oar, and a galley ala sensile has a single rower per oar, possibly two or three men to a bench (a terzaruolo). The top speed of a galley under full-oar has been estimated to be 7 or 8 knots . Maltese galley at anchor - plate (G. Tagliagambe/Antonio Suntach) from around 1780 - 1800. Examples of a galley Galliot: A light and fast Mediterranean galley . Ghost Ship: Either a ship that appears as a ghostly apparition such as the Flying Dutchman, or a ship which is found floating at sea with no sign of the crew, such as the Mary Celeste . Examples of a ghost-ship Gig: 1. A two-masted coastal vessel carrying lugsails . 2. A wide beamed 18th century ship's boat , often reserved for use by a ship's captain.

Hermaphrodite Brig: A two-masted vessel, square-rigged on the foremast and fore-and-aft rigged mainsail with square topsail on the mainmast. Examples of a hermaphrodite brig Hooker: 1. A single-, two-, or sometimes even three-masted coastal fishing vessel similar to a smack but setting square sails on the mainmast. Also hoeker or dogger (Dutch). 2. Slang for an outdated, obsolete, unwieldy, or just plain ugly vessel. Hoy: A single-, two- or even three-masted European coastal merchant and fishing vessel from the 17th and 18th century. See also galjoot . A small single-masted sloop-rigged hoy shown below. Hulk: 1. A medieval ship with the ends of the planks fitted parallel to the stern and sternposts . 2. A ship that has fallen into disuse or is used in a static role, for instance as a sheer hulk or a prison hulk as shown below. Ironclad: A warship with a wooden hull sheathed in iron for protection against gunfire. Another culprit causing the demise of wooden sailing ships.

Jagt: A single-masted Scandinavian inland and coastal merchant vessel of the 17th, 18th and 19th century. Jolly Boat: All purpose boat onboard a ship. Junk: A Chinese sailing vessel with bamboo sail battens and a long overhanging counter ; originally developed during the 5th century. Ketch: A two-masted sailing vessel with the mizzenmast stepped forward of the rudder head. They were usually fore-and-aft rigged but could have square sails . Sizewise, they were usually from 100 to 250 tons burthen . Often used in the role as a bombard vessel . Examples of a ketch Knarr: A clinker built Viking merchant ship, exceptionally sturdy in rough seas. Broader in the beam and more draught than a longship . They were also more reliant on the use of sails for propulsion, rather than oars. Also Knorr. Lightship: An anchored ship acting as a floating lighthouse where building a lighthouse was not possible or impractical. Lightships would display a light at the top of a mast and in case of fog would sound a fog signal.

Example of a lightship Lodya: Name for Russian river, lake and sea vessels until the 16th century and later. Longship: Langskip. Generally thought of as the Viking war ship. It was a 45–148ft (14–45m) galley with up to 40 oars on each side, a square sail on a removable mast, and a 40–80 man capacity. Double-ended and built shell-first with overlapping planks ( clinker built ). Longboat: The largest boat carried aboard a larger sea going vessel. Propelled by sail or oars. Lugger: A small ship rigged with one or more lugsails on two or three masts, and usually one, two or three jibs were set on the bowsprit . Luggers usually outperformed square-rigged vessels in coastal tideways but required a larger crew then a square-rigged vessel of similar size. Frequently used by smugglers and privateers around the English Channel in the 18th century. Courtesy of Greg Pesta Man O'War: A term applied to a ship specifically built for the purpose of war.

Instances of the term 'man-of-war' to indicate a warship are found as early as 1484. Man O War. Merchantman: Any vessel used for trade. The combined term of 'merchant' and 'man' occurs as early as 1473. Monkey: A small 16th century coastal merchantman carrying a square sail on a single mast. Nao: A classic medium-sized Spanish vessel of the age of exploration, having a fully developed three-masted rig and often a small topsail on the mainmast . Examples of a nao Nef: 1.Also called a roundship , a single- or two-masted clinker-built ship used in Europe during the middle-ages until the 15th century, for example as transportation for the crusades. Descendant of the Viking longship a Nef still had a side-rudder and was used in Northern regions a century or two longer with a sternpost - rudder . 2.A French word for ship. 3.Drinking vessel in the shape of a ship. Packet Ship: The generic name given to a vessel that sailed in regular service between two or more ports.

Pattamar: A one to three-masted lateen-rigged dhow -like vessel used off the west coast of India. Penteconter: An ancient Greek galley with 50 oars, 25 each side set in a single bank. Pink: A two- or three-masted Dutch fishing vessel of the 18th century. Pinnace: 1. A variety of relatively small sailing vessels having generally two fore-and-aft rigged masts. 2. A 17th century ship's boat , usually rowed with eight oars. Examples of a pirate ship Polacre: A three-masted Mediterranean vessel, usually square-rigged on the mainmast , and lateen-rigged on the foremast and mizzenmast . Some of them however carried square sails on all three masts. They usually carried one piece pole-masts , neither topmasts nor topgallant masts were present. Polyreme: A variety of large Phoenician, Greek or Roman war galleys . In these large 'Polyremes', there were only two levels of oars, each being rowed by half the men indicated by the number.

For instance, in an octoreme (8), there were 2 banks of oars, each rowed by 4 men, on each side of the ship. In a 'decareme' (10), each oar was manned by 5. Pot Boat: An ancient boat made from clay or similar material for use in inland waterways. Privateer: A person or private vessel intent on raiding enemy shipping in wartime for the purpose of making a profit from the sale of captured ships, including whatever cargo would be onboard. A privateer could be described as a commissioned pirate . Dangerous business all-around, often a privateer would mistake a 'friendly' ship for fair game with the consequence of rapidly being 'promoted' from privateer to pirate. Qarib: A small two-masted lateen-rigged vessel, common in Egypt around the 11th century, sailing down the Nile from Cairo and as far west as Tunisia and Sicily. Quarter Boat: A boat hung from, or located on a ship's quarter .

Quinquereme: A Mediterranean war galley having three banks of oars, the oars on the top two levels being pulled by two men each, the lower level oar being pulled by a single man. The quinquereme (5 rowers) was developed from the earlier trireme , rowed by three levels (or banks) of oars, each rowed by a single man. It was used by the Greeks of the Hellenistic period and later by the Carthaginians and Romans, from the 4th century BC to about the 1st century AD. Rate: In 1653 the British Admiralty's Fighting Instructions classified the size and capabilities (guns mounted) of a sailing warship into 6 distinct rates. A first rate being the largest and most capable, a sixth rate being the least. The number of guns carried by a ship of a certain rate changed from time to time. Only the first four rates were considered fit for duty as ' ships of the line '. However, fifth and sixth rates, and other even smaller vessels, did join the battle where and when required.

Retour Ship: Generic name for a collection of different but relatively heavily armed, and well-manned merchant ships of the Dutch East India Company (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, or VOC ). They were specifically designed for the long roundtrip (retour) voyage from the Netherlands to the East Indies. Examples of a roundship Schooner: A vessel rigged with fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts. A topsail schooner sets one to three square sails on the foremast as well. Many further sub-divisions can be made such as Tern Schooners , Scow Schooners , Coastal Schooners and Grand Banks Schooners such as the Bluenose . Bald Headed Schooner is a slang term for a Schooner having/setting no topsails at all. Examples of a schooner Scow: A variety of flat-bottomed vessels used for carrying cargo, often having a sloping square bow and stern . Similar to a barge, simple hull construction and maximum cargo capacity. Scow Schooner: A flat-bottomed square-ended schooner-rigged vessel used mainly in the latter half of the 19th century on the Great Lakes and North-American coastal routes.

Scow schooners often used centerboards or leeboards and the name scow refers to the shape of the hull. Scow schooners carried the bulk of cargo in North-America during the 19th century. Examples of a sixth rate Skiff: A small flat-bottomed ship's boat , having a sharp pointed bow and a square stern . Could be propelled by oars or sail. Sloop: A single-masted fore-and-aft rigged vessel setting a mainsail and generally a single jib , or headsail (sometimes double - double-headsail sloop). Sloop and cutter are almost indistinguishable today, generally a sloop has her mast located more forward than a cutter . See also sloop-of-war . Examples of a sloop Sloop-of-war: A name given to the smallest three-masted sailing warships, having 8 to 22 cannon on only one deck. They were either fully rigged as ships (three-masted ship-sloop) or as snows (two-masted brig-sloop). Also sometimes called 'corvette' (originally a French term). Even cutters were sometimes classified as sloops-of-war, or simply classified as sloops .

Smack: A small single- or two-masted coastal fishing or merchant vessel, fore-and-aft rigged with the two masted variant being very similar to a ketch . She was also characterized by a long horizontal running bowsprit . Snow: A relatively large two-masted sailing vessel, similar to a Brig. "A Brig bends her boom-sail (or trysail) to the mainmast , while a Snow bends it to a trysail mast (a third mast much less in diameter, stepped immediately aft of the mainmast ): in other respects these two vessels are alike." (Young's Nautical Dictionary 1846.) Examples of a snow Spiegelschip: Dutch term for a vessel with a distinctive flat stern and tafferel , with spiegel meaning mirror. Also spiegeljacht. Tarides: Small sail and/or oar powered transport vessel used from the dark ages to about the late 12th century. Early medieval equivalent of a landing craft, they had doors used as ramps for loading and unloading men and their horses. Possibly derived from earlier Roman horse transports.

Tartan: A small and nimble single- or two-masted lateen-rigged sailing vessel originating in the Middle East and the north coast of Africa. Like the xebec , it is often associated with the Barbary corsairs . Engraving plate (G. Tagliagambe/Antonio Suntach) from around 1780 - 1800. Tender: A vessel attending to another vessel, in particular one that ferries supplies and personnel between ship and shore. Tern Schooner: North American term for a three-masted Schooner of 200 to 400 tons. Most cargo carrying Tern Schooners were built between 1870 and 1920 along the coast of North America. Third Rate: Sailing ' ship of the line ' warship with 64-80 guns on two gun decks (1779). Tjalk: A Dutch flat-bottomed vessel with rounded ends and leeboards . Used to carry freight and also often used as a pleasure yacht . Triaconter: An ancient Greek galley with 30 oars, 15 each side set in a single bank.

Trireme: An ancient Phoenician, Greek or Roman war galley propelled by three tiers (banks) of oars on each side, each oar being pulled by a single man, used from the 7th to the 4th century BC. Upper level oarsmen were called thranites, middle level zygites and lower level oarsmen were called thalamites. The hull was shell-first , mortise -and- tenon construction, planked with fir, cedar or pine while the keel was made of oak . Turtle Ship: A 16th-century Korean armoured warship called Geobukseon or Kobukson in Korean. It was fitted with an iron shell (top) and sharp spikes for protection and to prevent boarding . They were developed and built by Admiral YI, SOON SHIN in 1592 who led Korea to victory in the IM JIN WAR (Korea vs. Japan; 1592-1598). The hull was built from red pine and a turtle ship carried cannons with such names as Heaven and Earth or in Korean, Chon and Ji. Comparable to a European 12 and 7pdr cannon respectively.

Velocera: An Italian coastal merchant vessel. Vinco: A three-masted Italian vessel from the 19th century setting lateen sails on the main and mizzenmast, and square sails on the foremast. Vlieboat: A small three-masted vessel with a broad beam, shallow draft and a high narrow stern originating from the mid 16th century. Most likely named for the Vlie estuary of the IJssel near the Dutch islands of Vlieland and Terschelling. Designed as merchant vessels to navigate rivers and coastal waters, vlieboats were also used for exploration and military duties. Also Vlieboot (Dutch) and Flyboat (English). Examples of a whaler Wherry: A light and fast 17th century ship's boat . Windjammer: A three- to five-masted square-rigged merchant vessel built between 1870 and 1890. They were of all-iron hull construction and rather large, often displacing several thousand tons. Xebec: A relatively small three-masted lateen-rigged vessel favoured by the Barbary corsairs operating off the coast of North Africa.

These ships had long narrow hulls, and were fitted with oars like their galley predecessors. The xebec was adopted by the French and Spanish navies and called a chebec. Yacht: Any of a variety of small sailing vessels. Often a personal transportation watercraft or a personal pleasure boat; i.e. captain's yacht, royal yacht. Examples of a yacht Yawl: Originally a double-ended clinker built Scandinavian yol. Later becomes: 1. A small two-masted sailing vessel with the mizzenmast stepped astern of the rudder post. Similar to a ketch , which has its mizzenmast stepped forward of the rudder head or post. 2. A ship's boat , smaller but similar to a pinnace , usually rowed by four to six oars. Zabra: A 16th century Spanish sailing vessel, smaller then a Galleon or Carrack . Zabra's were used for dispatch, transport and other utilitarian duties. Zulu: A Scottish lugger with a straight stem and raking sternpost .

Ancient Ships: The Ships of Antiquity - War Ships of the Greeks Ancient Ships: The Ships of Antiquity War Ships of the Greeks Greek Brireme from the period of the Trojan War 1250 BCE Model of Greek Bireme of the Trojan War 1250 B.C. from Hobby World Of Montreal The Trojan War Legend has it, that for ten long years the Greeks laid siege to the ancient city of Troy but could not take it. Then one night they sailed away leaving only a large Wooden Horse. Thinking that the Greeks had given up and returned home the Trojans took what they thought was a large idol into the city as war booty. That night ten brave men crawled out of the belly of the horse. They opened the gates of the city allowing the returning Greek soldiers to pour in and defeat the mighty city of Troy. The Bireme was the warship used at the time of the Trojan wars. It had a broad bottom with a shallow draft. Biremes were propelled by two banks of oars and virtually skimmed over the seas. The bow had a portion that protruded out at water level. It is thought that this configuration was intended for ramming and piercing the enemy's ships hull.

This earlier configuration is close to the structure of the boats used by the Greeks to defeat the Persian fleet at Salamis in 480 BCE. It is clear from ancient Iconography that the evolution and changes to the configuration of these ships evolved over an extended period of time. The time between the Trojan and Persian wars being approximately 800 years. Greek Bireme circa 500BCE An important version of an ancient warship was the "bireme" equipped with an outrigger. The advantage was, that this way, a ship could have two rows of oars on each side. The upper row of oars-men was sitting on an upper bench more outside, so their oars wouldn't interfere with the oars of their fellow mates sitting below. A "bireme" could be equipped with as many as a hundred oars-men, fifty on each side of the ship. A Greek Ship Trireme full scale reconstruction circa 400-BCE in Dry Dock The next step in the evolution of Greek war ships was the creation of the "trireme" with three rows of oars-men on each side of the ship (seethe modern recreation above).

The "trireme" was the standard warship of most Greek city-states. While a "trireme" still had a quite narrow hull, the outrigger had to be wider than on a "bireme". Most Greek "triremes" had a partial fighting-deck, while the later Roman version of this warship-type, had a full deck. The ship shown is a recreation made by the Trireme Trust. Trireme Model The ultimate test of these ships came for the Greeks during the Persian Wars at the battle of Salamis against the Persian Fleet. See the Battle of Salamis. The victory of the Greeks in this battle paved the way for the flowering of the Greek culture during the next fifty years. h2g2 - The Ships of the Roman Fleet - Edited Entry The Ships of the Roman Fleet Content from the guide to life, the universe and everything The Ships of the Roman Fleet Created 0 Conversations The Roman Empire was established by conquest, but to keep it running, trade and commerce were essential. Since much of the Empire was around the Mediterranean Sea, and transport of goods by sea is quicker and cheaper than on land, a Roman Navy was needed to protect the trade ships from piracy .

When the Empire reached further north, the Rhine and Danube rivers formed the northern border, and Navy fleets operated on these in special river boats. The Navy also protected the Empire from invasion, although most of the fighting was done by land-based troops. The Roman warship was quite different from the ships used for trade, as it needed to be able to manoeuvre in battle, and carried weaponry for attacking other ships. It was a long, narrow ship and was powered by oars , although sail-power would be used for covering long distances. It was known as a navis longa (long ship), or navis rostrata (ram ship) after the ship's principal weapon, the ram or rostra. A sail-powered trading ship, on the other hand, was called a navis oneraria 1 . This Entry describes the principal types of ship used by the Navy. The Ships Types of the Roman Fleet Listed here are the basic ship types; there were many variations within the basic types. There were also many options in equipment, size, and numbers of rowers. It is fair to say that if a variation was possible, then someone would try it.

Some of the less well known or specialist classes of ship have been omitted for clarity, for example very large ships, Imperial pleasure craft and the more obscure or regional vessels. The Penteconter The Penteconter was the most basic type of warship. It was typically 30 metres long and 4.5 metres wide. It was 'unfenced', which means that it had no deck, or only a partial one. The rowers sat on seats on the hull of the ship, and a walkway ran down the central line of the ship. It was powered by single banks of rowers, 25 per side with a single mast and sail. It developed over the years into a general purpose and scout vessel, used by both merchants and the navy. This was the original long ship, open to the elements. The Hemiolia The typical size of a Hemiolia was between 15 and 20 metres long, 4 metres wide. Like all the ships described here except the Penteconter, it was 'fenced', which means it had a deck above the banks of rowers. It was powered by 30 rowers, 15 per side, with a single mast and sail.

This was a long, light vessel about which little is known – historians do not even know the arrangement of men and oars. The most likely configuration is that there were 10 oars on each side, with two rowers on the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th oars, giving the oars in the waist of the ship more power. Another less likely possibility is that the extra five men on each side had a second bank of oars above the others. The uses of the Hemiolia are unclear but it appears that it was too light for battle, so it is likely to have been a river patrol, scout or dispatch vessel. The Liburna or Liberna and the Bireme The typical size of the Liburna was between 25 and 30 metres long, 4.75 metres wide, fenced. Powered by single banks of rowers, 25 to 50 per side with single mast and sail, with an optional foremast and sail, the ship was almost always equipped with a ram.

This vessel is likely to have taken its name from the Liburnians, a people from an area that corresponds with the Dalmatian coast and islands of modern Croatia. Before they became a Roman province, they were makers of a type of light fast ship favoured by pirates of the period, known as the liberna. It was recorded that some of these vessels could navigate water only 1 metre deep. The Romans adapted this design for use in the river fleets due to the shallow draught. The upper deck rails were extended (some were fitted with a partial roof as well) to provide the soldiers and crew protection from missile attack. In later years, the Liburna was further adapted by the addition of a second bank of rowers situated over the original first bank. This type of ship was known as a Bireme ('two-oar'). It would have also have had a compliment of between 30 and 60 marines. The Trireme The Trireme had a projecting gallery fitted to each side to house a third bank of rowers - the name Trireme means three-oared. In ships with multiple banks of rowers, the rowers were housed in several projecting galleries.

If viewed from the bow, this gave the ship an appearance similar to a two- or three-storey Tudor house (where the upper storeys project beyond the lower ones). The Quinquereme The typical size of a Quinquereme was around 40 metres long, 5 metres wide, fenced. Powered by three banks of rowers, 90 per side, the upper banks of oars would have had two rowers per oar. The ship was fitted with a main mast and foremast and was often rigged with two sails. The Quinquereme was very similar to the Trireme and also had a projecting gallery fitted to each side to house a third bank of rowers. The difference between the two types appears to be the numbers of rowers manning the oars. The top two banks of oars had two rowers on each oar, whilst the lowest bank had one man per oar. This gave five teams of rowers on three sets of oars, hence the name Quinquereme, meaning five-oared. This made sense as the bottom oars were shorter and lighter; the top banks were heavier due to their length and had further to move each stroke.

The other advantage was increased speed and distance due to the additional manpower. This vessel would have had a compliment of between 100 and 140 marines. The Quadriremes The typical size of a Quadrireme was around 35 metres long, 6 to 7 metres wide, fenced. Powered by two banks of rowers, 30 to 40 per side with single mast and sail, this vessel would have also had a compliment of between 70 and 100 marines. It was used in the coastal fleets due to the shallow draught and its ability to be beached. The Hexareme The typical size of a Hexareme was around 35 to 40 metres long, 5 to 7 metres wide, fenced. It was powered by three banks of rowers, 75 to 100 per side, with a single mast and sail. These ships are recorded at the battle of Actium on both sides. Some confusion is caused by the fact that they were the largest ships in Octavian 's fleet and almost 2 the smallest ships in Mark Antony's fleet.

The name seems to derive from the number of rowers at each oar position ('hex' signifying six). It is most likely that this class of ship was a trireme with two rowers on each oar. It is possible that some had fighting platforms or towers on the bow and stern, similar to a cog or carrack of the Middle Ages. Beaching a Ship Beaching a vessel was done only when there were no port facilities and was attempted only on gradually sloping sand or shingle beaches. The method was to row the vessel toward the shore at medium speed. As it approached the beach, orders were given to the rowers to ship the oars. Everyone on board other than the rowers was ordered to the rear of the ship; this had the effect of lifting the bows, allowing the ship to run gently ashore. Once beached, the crew could tie or anchor the ship and lower the gangplanks for disembarkation. Beaching was seldom undertaken under sail, as it was possible to cause damage to the rigging. The operation was best carried out between the tides to avoid stranding the ship.

Special Equipment The Rostra (Ram) From the beginning, the ship's main weapon in battle was the ram or rostra. This was a large projection of the bows at water level often plated with copper or bronze. This had only one function, which was to punch a hole in the side of an enemy ship. The only problem with ramming was getting the ram out of the enemy vessel quickly. If the sinking vessel settled in the water, it would lock itself on the ram and either pull down the ramming vessel or break the ram off as it sank. It was often the cause of savage fighting, as the only salvation for soldiers and crew on the sinking ship was to take the ship that had rammed them. The Corvus (Crow) This functioned in a similar way to a drawbridge; it was a ramp with hand rails that was fitted with the beak-like spike that gave it its name. Mounted on a short mast on the prow of the ship, the corvus could be raised and lowered by a system of pulleys. Often mounted on a turntable, the corvus could be swung over the deck of an enemy ship and dropped suddenly, allowing the spike to pierce the deck.

Once attached, the enemy ship was boarded by the soldiers stationed on the attacking ship. If necessary, the corvus could be raised and the enemy ship rapidly released. The main problem with the corvus was that it made ships unstable in rough weather - there are many reports of vessels capsizing and sinking. The Harpago (Hook) This functioned in a similar way to a grappling hook. It resembled a harpoon and was fired by catapult. Once embedded in an enemy ship, the attached rope was hauled in, pulling the two ships together. When the ships were alongside, the attacking marines boarded the enemy vessel. The catapult used for the firing of the harpago was also used as ship-board artillery in battle. The harpago was considered more efficient than the corvus and eventually replaced it. The Ballista The ballista was a weapon similar in appearance to a huge crossbow . The main difference was that instead of the bow 3 , it had two levers attached to giant torsion springs made from rope or sinew, tightly wound to provide enormous power. These weapons were used to fire stone shot or massive arrows or bolts and could also fire incendiary missiles at the enemy ships. 1 To heap or pile on.

2 The quinqueremes were larger. 3 Called a prod on a crossbow. galley - definition, etymology and usage, examples and related words galley Portion of a Phœnician galley. About 700 b.c WordNet 3.6 n galley the area for food preparation on a ship n galley the kitchen area for food preparation on an airliner n galley (classical antiquity) a crescent-shaped seagoing vessel propelled by oars n galley a large medieval vessel with a single deck propelled by sails and oars with guns at stern and prow; a complement of 1,000 men; used mainly in the Mediterranean for war and trading *** Fragment of a Greek galley showing absence of deck. About 550 B.C Roman galley. About 110 A.D FLiburnian galley. Conjectural restoration Stem and stern ornaments of galleys Venetian galley. Fourteenth century Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary Galley (Naut) A large vessel for war and national purposes; -- common in the Middle Ages, and down to the 17th century.

Galley (Naut) A light, open boat used on the Thames by customhouse officers, press gangs, and also for pleasure. Galley (Naut) A name given by analogy to the Greek, Roman, and other ancient vessels propelled by oars. Galley (Print) A proof sheet taken from type while on a galley; a galley proof. Galley A vessel propelled by oars, whether having masts and sails or not Galley (Chem) An oblong oven or muffle with a battery of retorts; a gallery furnace. Galley (Print) An oblong tray of wood or brass, with upright sides, for holding type which has been set, or is to be made up, etc. Galley (Naut) One of the small boats carried by a man-of-war. Galley The cookroom or kitchen and cooking apparatus of a vessel; -- sometimes on merchant vessels called the caboose. *** Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia n galley A sea-going vessel propelled by oars, or using both oars and sails. The earliest ships of all nations were of this class, and were at first confined chiefly to coasting or to the navigation of narrow seas.

The war-galley of the Greeks originally had a single mast carrying one square sail amidships, and later two masts, but depended primarily upon its oars, ranged in a single line on each side, and each handled by one rower. It was rated according to the whole number of these. The principal sizes were the triaconter, of thirty oars, and the penteconter, of fifty. Ships of this form continued to be used as vessels of burden, but were early superseded for war by galleys rated according to the number of banks of oars or ranks of rowers, as the bireme (a two-banked vessel), trireme, quadrireme, etc. Greater numbers of banks are mentioned, up to forty banks of oars in a vessel of enormous size built for Ptolemy Philopator of Egypt. How these numerous banks of oars were arranged is not definitely known; it is probable that not more than three could have been placed one above another. The first recorded Roman fleet consisted wholly of triremes, and this was always the most common armament.

The ancient naval vessels were long, sharp, and narrow in model, like a modern steamer, were capable of great speed, and carried large crews. Full decks, or several decks, were in time substituted for the primitive half-deck, or the short decks at the stem and stern; and rams, towers, and other means of offense and defense were added. Galleys continued in use in the Mediterranean and other seas till late in the seventeenth century, ordinary ones in later times having from five to twenty-five oars on a side in a single row, each oar worked by several men, with two or three masts and triangular sails; and indeed they may be considered as not yet entirely obsolete, being represented by the feluccas and boats of similar model on the Mediterranean and neighboring seas. Larger vessels were called galleasses. (See galleass.) The labor of rowing was from an early date assigned to mercenaries, and afterward to slaves and prisoners of war; and in some countries, especially France, nearly all criminals were condemned to service on the galleys of the state, and were hence called galley-slaves. See trireme.

n galley A state barge; a large boat, especially one used in display; in a special use, an open boat formerly employed on the Thames in England by custom-house officers and press-gangs, and for pleasure. n galley A boat, somewhat larger than a gig, appropriated for the captain's use on a war-ship. [Eng.] n galley The cook-room, kitchen, or caboose of a merchant ship, man-of-war, or steamer; also, the stove or range in the galley. n galley In printing, an oblong shallow tray of brass or wood, rarely of zinc, on which the compositor deposits his type. The galley of wood (now little used) is usually flanged only on the lower side and at the top. Brass galleys, and also some wooden galleys, are flanged on both sides, and on these the type can be locked up for taking proofs. See proof-galley and slice-galley.

*** Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary n Galley gal′i a long, low-built ship with one deck, propelled by oars: a state barge: the captain's boat on a war-ship: the place where the cooking is done on board ship: a kind of boat attached to a ship-of-war: n Galley gal′i (print.) a flat oblong tray in which the compositor places the type he has set up *** The mate choked, and his eye sought the galley. "Short Cruises" by W. W. Jacobs By dinner-time his faintness had passed, and he sniffed with relish at the smell from the galley. "Light Freights, Complete" by W. W. Jacobs Have you ever seen the departure of the galley-slaves from Bicetre? "The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume I (of 2)" by Alexandre Dumas père Robeckal was condemned to death by strangulation, and Fanfaro to the galleys for life.

"The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume II (of 2)" by Alexandre Dumas père Not only were there ports in abundance for the shelter of galleys, but the land behind was all that could be desired. "The Story of the Barbary Corsairs" by Stanley Lane-Poole Every one was busy, from the captain down to the galley-boy. "The Naval History of the United States" by Willis J. Abbot Over the centre waved the black galley of Lorne on a gold standard. "John Splendid" by Neil Munro Go for'ard and tell that crew in the galley, or the fo'castle, or wherever they are, to lay aft here. "Fair Harbor" by Joseph Crosby Lincoln Join me to your galley-oars. "The False Chevalier" by William Douw Lighthall A Roman Galley, about 110 A.D. . "A Book of Discovery" by Margaret Bertha (M. B.) Synge He goes in the fo'c's'le to-morrow, an' this hyar lout of a stooard shall take his place in the galley.

"The Island Treasure" by John Conroy Hutcheson He was accordingly condemned to the galleys, a fearful fate! "John Deane of Nottingham" by W.H.G. Kingston They were large galleys, propelled by sixty oars, with a deck above that part where the rowers sat. "How Britannia Came to Rule the Waves" by W.H.G. Kingston When the storm burst upon the vessel, he retired to the galley. "The Coming Wave" by Oliver Optic Thus, all night long the galley, and till dawn Had brighten'd into day, cleaved swift the flood. "The Odyssey of Homer" by Homer It was on the first day of June that Don Pedro de Melinza arrived in the galley from San Augustin, and our captivity took on a new phase. "Margaret Tudor" by Annie T. Colcock Some were condemned to the pillory, others to the galleys, and the least guilty to fine and imprisonment. "Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds" by Charles Mackay Perhaps four boatmen have been out all night looking for a job in their galley punt.

"Heroes of the Goodwin Sands" by Thomas Stanley Treanor Their forecastles and the galley and carpenter shop were wide open. "The Grain Ship" by Morgan Robertson Four were hanged, twelve were sent to the galleys, many more were flogged, and a heavy fine was levied on the entire village. "The Huguenots in France" by Samuel Smiles ***

Question: What is the name given to a seagoing vessel with two banks of oars
Answer: Bireme